DIY, tech, projects, stuff from Adam Fraser-Kruck

Here are some basic instructions on how to build a $2 compost thermometer using readily available supplies. It looks crappy (in a good rustic kind of way), but works great and uses few materials.

You really don't need to read this... I like this design because it's pretty functional, reaches the correct temperature faster, and looks cool, but you could just duct tape everything together in a minute and see if it works for you first.

I chose to use a dry fallen tree branch because they are super abundant, eco friendly, and have reasonably low thermal conductivity. This is good because you don't want your stick to be conducting much heat to or from the thermometer probe tip as this will increase the amount of time it takes to get a stable reading. My first attempt took me a minute to duct tape the probe to a piece of steel rebar, but I found that the rebar was not only cooling down my probe, but also my Read more...